Bedfordshire

2014 Annual Business Confidence Report

Headlines

  • 2014 was a record year for company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.
  • The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.
  • Q4 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous Q4.
  • December 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.
  • November 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.
  • October 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.
  • The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.
  • December 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.
  • 2014 was a record year for net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.
  • November 2014 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.
  • October 2014 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.

Contents

  1. New Company Registrations
  2. Closed Companies (dissolved)
  3. Net Company Growth
  4. UK Company Share
  5. Director Age
  6. Director Gender
  7. Naming Trends
  8. SIC Data
  9. Recent Companies

New Company Registrations

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    2014 was a record year for company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.

    A total of 5,760 companies were formed in Bedfordshire in 2014. This total is 13.7% higher than in 2013 and compares equally to the UK figure of a 10.0% growth compared to 529,363 the previous year.

    YearBedfordshireUK
    20145,760582,051
    20135,067529,363
    20124,468491,893
    20113,890452,870
    20103,474400,358
    Record Year2014 (5,760)2014 (582,051)
    New Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 2,775 companies were formed in Bedfordshire. This figure is 11.9% higher than last year, which compares well to the UK wide figure of 8.2%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Bedfordshire occurred in 2014 when a total of 2,775 were formed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordshireUK
    20142,775281,320
    20132,481259,931
    % change11.9%8.2%
    Record Year2014 (2,775)2014 (281,320)
    New Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Q4 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous Q4.

    A total of 1,366 companies were registered in Bedfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 11.2% versus the same period last year (Q4 2013). This figure compares equally to the UK as a whole, which saw an increase of 8.4% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)BedfordshireUK
    20141,366137,906
    20131,228127,247
    % change11.2%8.4%
    Record Year 2014 (1,366) 2014 (137,906)
    New Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    December 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.

    November 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.

    October 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.

    New Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    New companies in 2014513478375
    New companies in 2013494421313
    % change3.8%13.5%19.8%
    Record Year2014 (513)2014 (478)2014 (375)

Closed Companies (dissolved)

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 3,436 companies were dissolved in Bedfordshire in 2014. This total is 13.7% higher than in 2013 and compares favourably to the UK figure of 10.8% growth compared to the previous year.

    YearBedfordshireUK
    20143,436367,937
    20133,023332,213
    20122,483293,729
    20112,468314,524
    20102,575342,233
    Record Year2009 (3,734)2009 (533,789)
    Dissolved Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 1,811 companies were dissolved in Bedfordshire. This figure is 16.0% higher than last year, which compares badly to the UK wide change of 7.7%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Bedfordshire occurred in 2014 when a total of 1,811 were closed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordshireUK
    20141,811190,730
    20131,561177,021
    % change16.0%7.7%
    Record Year2014 (1,811)2009 (244,544)
    Dissolved Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    A total of 840 companies were dissolved in Bedfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 2.1% versus the same period last year (Q4 2013). This figure compares poorly to the UK as a whole, which saw a decrease of 2.0% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)BedfordshireUK
    201484089,060
    201382390,851
    % change2.1%-2.0%
    Record Year 2014 (840) 2013 (90,851)
    Dissolved Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    December 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous December.

    Dissolved Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Closed companies in 2014259254327
    Closed companies in 2013264249310
    % change-1.9%2.0%5%
    Record Year2012 (279)2010 (255)2014 (327)

Net Company Growth

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    2014 was a record year for net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any year in history.

    A total of 2,324 companies were added to the company register for Bedfordshire in 2014. This number represents growth of 40.3% in the total number of active companies, which compares favourably to the UK figure of 36.8%.

    This number is 280 companies higher than the previous year.

    The highest net company growth figure ever seen in one year came in 2014 when the Bedfordshire company register grew by 2,324 companies.

    YearBedfordshireUK
    20142,324214,114
    20132,044197,150
    20121,985198,164
    20111,422138,346
    201089958,125
    Record Year2014 (2,324)2007 (237,353)
    Net Growth by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 the company register for Bedfordshire increased by 964 companies.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordshireUK
    201496490,590
    201392082,910
    Record Year2012 (992)2003 (117,772)
    Net Growth by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Net company growth for Bedfordshire during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014) was 526 companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)BedfordshireUK
    201452648,846
    201340536,396
    Record Year 2014 (526) 2012 (49,848)
    Net Growth by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    November 2014 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous November.

    October 2014 saw a new record in net growth in Bedfordshire when compared to any previous October.

    Net Growth by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Net growth in 201425422448
    Net growth in 20132301723
    Record Year2014 (254)2014 (224)2012 (154)

UK Company Share

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    In 2014 Bedfordshire formed 1.0% of all UK companies. This is no change on 2013 when Bedfordshire was responsible for 1.0% of all UK companies.

    YearBedfordshire
    20141.0%
    20131.0%
    20120.9%
    20110.9%
    20100.9%
    Record Year (since 1960)1998 (1.2%)
    Company Share by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 Bedfordshire formed 1.0% of all UK companies. This is the same as the 2013 figure of 1.0%.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)Bedfordshire
    20141.0%
    20131.0%
    20120.9%
    20110.9%
    20100.9%
    Record Year (since 1960) 1998 (1.2%)
    Company Share by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    In the fourth quarter of 2014, Bedfordshire formed 1.0% of all UK companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)Bedfordshire
    20141.0%
    20131.0%
    20120.9%
    20110.9%
    20100.9%
    Record Year (since 1960) 1998 (1.2%)
    Company Share by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Company Share by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    UK formation share in 20141.0%1.1%0.9%
    UK formation share in 20131.0%1.0%0.9%
    % change-1.2%7.8%2.5%
    Record Year1997 (1.3%)1998 (1.3%)1998 (1.4%)

Director Age

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The average age of a director in 2014 was 42.4.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 2.7% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.9% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    Director Age by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The average age of a director in the second half of 2014 was 42.3.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 2.7% compared to the UK figure of 3.7%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 4.2% compared to the UK figure of 4.5%.

    Director Age by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    The average age of a director in the fourth quarter of 2014 was 42.0.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 2.4% compared to the UK figure of 3.8%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 4.1% compared to the UK figure of 4.5%.

    Director Age by Quarter

Director Gender

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The record year for female directors in Bedfordshire was 1991 when 34.2% of all directors were female.

    The percentage of female directors in Bedfordshire in 2014 was 27.4%. The average for the UK during this time was 26.1%

    Director Gender by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The record second half year for female directors in Bedfordshire was 2008 when 29.5% of all directors were female.

    27.1% of all director appointments in Bedfordshire in the second half of 2014 were female. This compares to a UK average of 26.1% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    The record fourth quarter for female directors in Bedfordshire was in 2006 when 29.6% of all directors were female.

    25.7% of all director appointments in Bedfordshire in the fourth quarter of 2014 were female. This compares to a UK average of 25.8% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Quarter

Naming Trends

  1. Previous 12 months (Dec 2013-Dec 2014)

    Excluding: LIMITED, LTD, &, UK, SERVICES, THE, (UK), AND, LTD., A, LLP, SOLUTIONS, COMPANY, OF.

    wordpercentageuk worduk percentage
    CONSULTING1.79%CONSULTING5.22%
    CONSULTANCY1.64%MANAGEMENT4.58%
    MANAGEMENT1.53%CONSULTANCY3.57%
    CARE1.37%PROPERTY2.66%
    PROPERTY1.03%CONSTRUCTION2.12%
    ENGINEERING1.00%ENGINEERING2.10%
    CONSTRUCTION1.00%CARE2.02%
    CONSULTANTS0.85%TRADING1.94%
    BUSINESS0.79%LONDON1.93%
    TRANSPORT0.79%TRANSPORT1.93%
    HEALTHCARE0.76%DESIGN1.66%
    J0.75%CONSULTANTS1.64%
    INVESTMENTS0.64%ELECTRICAL1.62%
    IT0.61%PROPERTIES1.62%
    BUILDING0.61%BUSINESS1.56%
    MEDIA0.60%J1.54%
    DESIGN0.60%CO.,1.50%
    LUTON0.60%GLOBAL1.49%
    ASSOCIATES0.60%INVESTMENTS1.48%
    GLOBAL0.58%ASSOCIATES1.47%
    ELECTRICAL0.58%DEVELOPMENTS1.35%
    SECURITY0.57%MEDIA1.33%
    M0.55%IT1.31%
    HEALTH0.55%BUILDING1.29%
    S0.54%M1.22%

SIC Data

  1. Previous 36 months, excluding companies less than 12 months old

    sic codenumber of companiesuk companies
    None Supplied2,490265,608
    70229 - Management consultancy activities other than financial management41942,290
    99999 - Dormant Company38448,509
    62020 - Information technology consultancy activities33530,178
    82990 - Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified28658,068
    96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified25629,009
    74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified17119,049
    86900 - Other human health activities15912,976
    49410 - Freight transport by road15610,842
    62090 - Other information technology service activities13812,837
    56101 - Licensed restaurants1288,782
    68209 - Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate11811,212
    41100 - Development of building projects9911,397
    47910 - Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet9910,107
    43999 - Other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified968,761
    41202 - Construction of domestic buildings927,559
    56103 - Take-away food shops and mobile food stands918,318
    69201 - Accounting and auditing activities907,528
    62012 - Business and domestic software development849,752
    45200 - Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles825,425

Recent Companies

  1. Randomly selected companies from this quarter

    COMPANY NUMBERCOMPANY NAMEINCORPORATION DATE
    09337358 VICTORIOUS BREAKTHROUGH LTD 02 Dec 2014
    09337359 UNGAGGED LTD 02 Dec 2014
    09342088 YUAN HANG OVERSEAS STUDENT SERVICES LTD 05 Dec 2014
    09342547 BUSHEY HOSPITALITY LIMITED 05 Dec 2014
    09345222 RAFIKIZ LIMITED 08 Dec 2014
    09354185 BIBITEL MOBILE TECHNOLOGY LTD 15 Dec 2014
    09357503 BLUESKY MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANTS LTD 16 Dec 2014
    09357624 J&J SUB LIMITED 16 Dec 2014
    09359654 CRV CONTROL SYSTEMS LIMITED 18 Dec 2014
    09359747 PGR DECORATORS LIMITED 18 Dec 2014
    09360462 TRUE ACCESS SYSTEMS LIMITED 18 Dec 2014
    09366281 ALEXANDER HOLDINGS (UK) LTD 23 Dec 2014
    09368055 ASHTON CARTER COMMERCIAL LIMITED 29 Dec 2014
    09368839 ALEXANDER HOLDINGS CO (UK) LTD 29 Dec 2014
    09333595 ABILITY HOTELS (IV) HOLDINGS LIMITED 01 Dec 2014
    09333622 ABILITY HOTELS (IV) FINANCE LIMITED 01 Dec 2014
    09334412 ABILITY HOTELS (IV) UK LIMITED 01 Dec 2014
    09335706 W WALSH MORTGAGE SERVICES LIMITED 01 Dec 2014
    09338675 AYS IT LTD 03 Dec 2014
    09356748 IN THE ZONE LIMITED 16 Dec 2014
    09367595 CULTURAL KINETICS LIMITED 29 Dec 2014
    09334234 ALEXANDRU SERBAN LTD 01 Dec 2014
    09336706 ANGDEN LIMITED 02 Dec 2014
    09337591 TRACK ALLIANCE LTD 02 Dec 2014
    09342568 BESTIN GLOBAL RESOURCES LIMITED 05 Dec 2014